Challenges

February 7, 2017

I bet you never thought I'd be including landscapes in our "Power of Three" challenge. But many landscapes definitely fall into this category. Before I get started I wanted to remind you that if you submit a quilt for our exhibit it needs to be made in 2017 and be an original composition. Many ideas, patterns and quilts by other people inspire us to make quilts. Use one of these ideas to make your own interpretation of "the power of three".

Landscapes, in general and in the quilting world, usually have three elements: the ground, the sky and an element to focus our attention. The ground and sky become the background in many landscape quilts. These two components are separated by what is called a "horizon line". Almost every landscape will have some form of a horizon line. This interpretation is simply put and in practice becomes more involved.

Here's a simple interpretation: ground, sky and tree.

Although this landscape does not have a sky it does have the rock cliff which takes its place. Because of the trees the horizon line becomes a little less obvious in this quilt. The white of the rapids makes this our focal point, bringing us into the landscape to explore the details.

Here is one of Sue Benner's quilts. I can spot her compositions so easily. Whether the quilt is one of her landscapes or one of her many other forms of composition she has a unique style. Part of it is her use of color. All of her quilts have a multitude of rich colors. Here the lake and the sky provide a background for the blades of grass to take center stage.

This landscape takes a different approach. We have the tree and the sky providing support for our focal point, the owl.

This quilt kind of does the same thing. We interpret the stocks of leafs as the ground and then we have additional details in the sky. But with the use of color this artist has captured our attention with the blue rabbit.

This landscape is open to interpretation. The maker gave this quilt the title of "Urban Landscape". For me, this abstract landscape really gives an interpretation of the city. The messy black line in a busy circular shape really does depict the hustle and bustle of city life. This quilt also fits neatly into the topic of my last email- "three elements".

So there you have it. My ideas of how a landscape can be used in our challenge. Emily is teaching another landscape quilt class this winter. Check out all of the details here.

January 24, 2017

In composition odd numbers of elements are more dynamic than groupings of elements evenly numbered. The basic idea of the rule is that objects arranged or grouped in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable and effective. This challenge asks you to use the power of three in an original design.

Quilts using three elements are not quite as transparent as those using three focal points which I covered in my last post. The three elements are compositional elements that make a whole image. Here are some examples:

This example is easily explained. You can see the three elements right away and they play a major role in the composition. Unlike three focal points, the yellow striped square is singularly the focus of this composition.

What are the three elements here? The three red circles are only one of the three elements. The lines and the large circle are the other two. The focal point is the large circle. It is the first thing to capture your attention.

Here the three elements are the black circular shapes, the white background and the red background. Each of these elements gives you a lot to look at and many details to pull you into the composition. The high contrast of the black and white brings the black circles to the forefront and they become the focal point.

This quilt uses three elements as well. The writing in the upper left, the writing in the lower right, and the large "x". The composition in this quilt is fairly balanced, leaving it up to the viewer to decide what draws their eye into the piece.

I love this quilt. I wish the maker would have taken a better picture. The white, the background and the copper colored line create three elements in this composition. The white grabs our attention first. This abstract quilt really gets in my head and I begin to think of many different ideas of what the imagery portrays.

I still have a couple more emails to write for this challenge. I look forward to sharing more of my thoughts with you. I'll be covering modern quilts and furthering the explanation of "the power of three". And as always, everything is open to interpretation.

Stop by the shop and say hello. Spend $50.00 on merchandise and sign up for our challenge.

March 17, 2015

Okay, so I know our walls have been lacking new quilts since our winter selection. But we're working hard to get new ideas sewn into beautiful quilts. Right now, three are near completion! I'm excited about all of them! For those of you who don't know, for the last six months I've been suffering from a great deal of foot pain and limping around the store. And, if you've ever been in constant pain you know how it can lead to depression and a rotten mood. With the depression also comes an inability to be creative. I finally feel like I'm stepping out of that dark place - what's my life without creativity - and am starting to see that creativity flourish again. Let's hope it lasts and I never have to go back to the limited life of pain, limping, and restricted activity.

My presentation, MODERN QUILTING AND ITS DIFFERENCES FROM TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY QUILTS is scheduled for March 24th. We'll open the store at 6:30pm and the presentation will begin at 7pm. I've compiled many examples of quilts to illustrate how these three genres differ. If you're part of our MODERN QUILT CHALLENGE you can attend the event for free. If not, a $5.00 admission fee will be collected. Call or come in to reserve your seat. Space is limited. During the presentation if you decide to join our challenge, the $5.00 will be taken off your $35.00 fabric purchase needed to join our challenge. Quilts are due in the store in May. They will hang at Twin Cities Quilting for one week before going to Duluth for the Minnesota Quilters Show and Conference's special exhibit. So join us for the presentation to see if you'd like to take part.

We have new arrivals from Art Gallery! The first collection is called "Wanderer" and was designed by April Rhodes. I love the landscape fabric, it just reminds me of traveling.

The second collection, "Maker" is more about the graphics. From pattern pieces to zippers this line celebrates the maker of all things sewn.

Lastly, we have batiks from Moda just in time for spring. "Sweet Life" has the perfect colors for this new season.

March 9, 2015

Before we get to the new arrivals, I wanted to tell you that I'm doing a presentation for the Modern Quilt Challenge on Tuesday March 24, 2015. For those of you who have signed up for the challenge, this presentation is free. Otherwise, those who haven't signed up, but want to see the presentation can call us at 651.340.8263 or come into the store to reserve your seat for $5. If, after the presentation, you want to sign up for the challenge, we will deduct the $5.00 from your $35.00 challenge purchase!

We have a couple of spaces left in this months TGIF Friday Sew In. Pay $10.00 and we'll feed you dinner, snacks and give you party favors! Call us at 651.340.8263 to reserve your space.

We have one more class this month. My Next Steps in Machine Quilting class is on Saturday March 28th. If your at a point where you are comfortable at your machine working the free motion foot but feel you need more experience in stitching shapes, feathers, leaves and more this class is for you. There are only a couple of spaces left so sign up soon!

If you haven't taken the time to look at our Patchwork City class here's a link. I love these blocks and can't wait to start making them. The layouts in the back of the book are great too.

Now what you've been waiting for!! We have a couple new arrivals from Bernatex. Starting with "Our Town" designed by Michael D'Amore. These black and white prints really stand out in a quilt.

Next we have "Green Farms". The loops make great lines for inner borders or to use with word fabrics.

Lastly, from Moda we have "Garden Project". I love the colors of this collection. We have five bolts. Just enough for table runners and placemats.

February 23, 2015

We have upcoming classes that have yet to be filled! If you're interested please click on the class title below for more information on the class and how to sign up.

First we have Fun with Fabric Baskets with instructor Rose Allen. In this class you make one basket during the class and the other baskets on your own. These baskets make great gifts for others or for yourself. This class is held on Tuesday March, 3rd from 6:30pm - 9:00 pm.

Quilt As You Go is a great class to take to learn four methods of quilting in sections. It's a good way to learn new quilting techniques and also how to plan future quilts. It is on Saturday, March 7, from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

We're adding a guided sew-in one Friday a month for the new Patchwork City book. We are so excited about making quilts with these blocks! Come in to look at the book if you haven't seen it yet. It is fabulous! Mary and myself are tackling quilts using the blocks in this book. We'll have approximately five blocks completed for each sew-in and share our experience with you. This led sew-in will be once a month on the third Friday through November (we skip August). The price is $40.00 if you buy the book from us. Or $45.00 for those of you who have bought the book elsewhere. If you take this class you'll end up with a beautiful geometric quilt. Join us from 11:00 am - 3:00pm on Friday, April 17.

Lastly, we are repeating Just the Walking Foot! This class was a huge hit and I can't wait to teach it again. Learn to make your quilts awesome with your walking foot! This class will add a modern edge to any quilt. Saturday, April 18th from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

If you like any of these classes feel free to come into the store to sign up, go on our website, or call us at 651-340-8263!

We also want to remind you that there is still time to sign up for the Modern Quilt Challenge this year. This is a great chance to do something you might not normally do! You can come into the shop to sign up and learn more, or you can click here to see the details of this challenge. We want this exhibit to have a big impact!! So join us and make your version of a modern quilt.

January 3, 2015

Many of you have been waiting for this announcement. It’s great to know you’re engaged in this process. I put together this year’s challenge with a specific goal in mind. Modern quilting is now in all of our vocabularies. We buy modern fabrics, we add the quilts to our pinterest pages, we buy the books and patterns with “Modern” in the the title, and we make the quilts. But here in Minnesota we rarely get to see the quilts exhibited (how many of you are going to Quilt Con next month to see the best modern quilts exhibited?).

So you guessed it! This year’s challenge is to make a modern quilt! Although this sounds easy enough, I often stumble upon quilts on the internet and in books that really are not modern even though the maker or author describes them as modern. It’s the same with any classification we put to the test. Let’s face it, we want to be inclusive. The more the merrier!

I want to define what modern quilting really looks like with this exhibit. Once again, we’ll be exhibiting the quilts at the shop and the MQ Show & Conference. I’m hoping we can really show quilters in the region what makes quilts modern. So, not only will our exhibit be fun to view, it will also be educational and informative. Are you up to the task?

Here are the guidelines I’ve put together for our “Modern Quilts” exhibit. I’m open to changing and editing these guidelines but, you’ll have to present a strong argument.

Your quilt must be inspired by this challenge and made in 2015. I’m counting on everyone being honest so that the prizes are distributed fairly.

Sign up for the challenge at the store. You need to make a $35.00 purchase when you sign up. The $35.00 purchase must be in merchandise (not long arm quilting or classes). And, you’ll need to purchase one of the fabrics you will be using in your quilt.

We will be drawing for prizes! Everyone who enters has an equal chance. Two $50.00 gift certificates will be awarded for every eight entrants. Plus prizes galore!

If your quilt is made from a pattern, or inspired by a book or what you’ve seen on the internet, it needs to be noted in your description. Give credit where credit is due. Sometimes it can be hard to find the maker’s name, especially on pinterest. But even noting the website is better than nothing. It’s not too hard to come up with the information after a little digging. We’ll send you a form to use later in the process to write your description.

Your quilt will be displayed at the store and at the show so please make it a size that can display well in either location. If you need clarification give me a call or follow the guidelines set forth by Minnesota Quilters (http://www.cvent.com/events/2015).

Your quilt must also have a hanging sleeve on the back. Please follow the instructions set forth by MQ. They are also on the sight above.

I’ll be posting examples of modern quilts and talking more about the subject in the coming weeks. So please, subscribe to the Twin Cities Quilting blog. This is the only place where I will be posting about the challenge. If you dislike getting more than one email about new arrivals, sales or other events, feel free to reply “remove from list” to the version I send out as emails (the email with the logo banner at the top). All the information I send out is posted to the blog first. You’ll still get all the emails but only once. The general guidelines will also be on the events page of the website.

For me, a few things on the list above make it fairly simple to define modern: By exploring modern art you can really get a good idea of what “modern” looks like. Or, if you’re more familiar with interior decorating, explore modern minimalism. You can google modern art or modern minimalism and then click on “images” to see many examples. Since I come from a contemporary, art quilting background this kind of exploration is always my first step. For you, some other form of research may be appropriate.

Timeline:

Jan. 5 - May 15 Sign up for challenge at the store.

May 23 - May 29 Completed quilts and paperwork drop off at TCQuilting

June 1 - June 6 Quilts exhibited at Twin Cities Quilting

June 4th Party! Party! Party! 4pm - 8pm

June 10 - June 13 Quilts exhibited at Minnesota Quilters Show & Conference

May 21, 2014

I must be cursed. There seems to be no end to the hurdles I must jump over since I started Twin Cities Quilting back in 2010. Yesterday afternoon we were making some final changes to the exhibit and the mallet I'd been using to hang the quilts on the walls fell from the top of the ladder and hit me square in the nose. And, of course, it's broken.

So, if you have no other desire to come look at the 34 customer quilts hanging in the shop come to see my beautifully broken nose! I think I got away with as little damage as possible. I don't look half bad this morning.

The quilts are stunning and I think the party will be a success despite my short notice to all of you. I've decided to have a free give-away for everyone plus great door prizes!

Thursday, May 22nd

4pm - 8pm

Fabric treats for all!

SPIN-TO-WIN Door Prizes for all!

View the quilts from the SOLID CHALLENGE

Hear the artist talk about their inspirations and techniques

All customers receive a 10% discount on purchases over $50.00

Spend $50.00 and you’ll be entered to win a fabric

bundle from Quilt Market! I'll reveal many of the fabric collections that are coming soon!

I'm feeling especially grateful for all of you right now. Thank you for being such exceptional customers and friends! So, please come and see these wonderful, colorful quilts! They look great!

May 8, 2014

Just a reminder that quilts are due at the store no later than Thursday, May 15th. That's one week away! I'm so excited about what I've seen so far! I hope those of you that signed up will take this last week to finish up and turn in your quilts. Once we display them at Twin Cities Quilting we'll have a great party to celebrate. Last year we had such a great exhibit and I received so many comments about our special exhibit for Minnesota Quilters. Let's make this year as memorable! Here are the important dates we've set up for the rest of our challenge:

Important Dates:

Turn in your quilt at Twin Cities Quilting by Thursday, May 15, 2014. Click below for the paperwork you need. Turn in this paperwork with your quilt at Twin Cities Quilting. And don't forget to protect your work with a clear plastic bag or pillow case. Write your name, address and phone on the packaging.

Quilts will be exhibited at Twin Cities Quilting May 19 - May 31, 2014.

Celebration at Twin Cities Quilting, May 22nd, 4pm - 8pm: Exhibitors receive a 25% discount if they come to the party and talk about their work. We want to know what motivated you, if you used any special techniques, and why you chose the design you created. I can't wait to hear your stories! We will also award gift certificates, special prizes and everyone attending will have a chance to win a door prize.

Quilts will be exhibited at Minnesota Quilters Show and Conference June 12 - 14, 2014.

Pick up your quilt at Twin Cities Quilting June 17 through June 24, 2014. It's a wrap!

April 24, 2014

Challenge quilts are due relatively soon. You can bring your quilts in on Monday, May 5th through Thursday, May 15th. The quilts will be exhibited at Twin Cities Quilting Monday, May 19th through Saturday, May 31st. After that, the quilts go to Saint Cloud for a special exhibit at the Minnesota Quilters Show and Conference, Thursday, June 12th through Sunday, June 14th.

Please fill out the attached form and bring it with your quilt. Even though the paperwork says to send it elsewhere, bring it with your quilt. Check your downloads file once you click on the form below: